NZBoxChat

Apparently today's the day.

I think its Alexander Dimitrenko... hope it is. It will be a good measure of where Joseph is at.

(07-26-2016, 12:23 PM)Dannyboy Wrote: [ -> ]I think its Alexander Dimitrenko... hope it is. It will be a good measure of where Joseph is at.

Yep wouldn't be a bad opponent, Dimitrenko is solid but unspectacular. He's struggled with 'the next level' of opponent but is a former European champion. Would also (in ducos head) justify another 40 bucks.

Oops, I was motor set:

Joseph Parker to fight giant Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko in October.
Duco Events promotional video announcing Joseph Parker will fight 'The Giant' Alexander Dimitrenko in October.

Joseph Parker will square off against giant Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko in Manukau on October 1.

Dimitrenko, who stands at 2.01 metres, will be the biggest challenge from a height perspective in Parker's career.

The 12-round bout will take place at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau, the same venue Parker secured a points win over Carlos Takam to secure the IBF number one mandatory position in May.

Ukraine's Alexander Dimitrenko will be Joseph Parker's next opponent.

Dimitrenko holds a respectable 38-2 record, with those two losses coming against his only genuine top-class opposition; Kubrat Pulev (23-1) in 2012 and Eddie Chambers (42-5) in 2009.

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Joseph Parker's next opponent, Ukrainian giant Alexander Dimitrenko, in action in October 2015.

But given the 34-year-old won a unanimous decision over English journeyman Michael Sprott (42-26) in 2009, Parker will be considered in another class.

Dimitrenko is not seen as a power puncher, with only a 60 per cent knockout rate.

But with a 9cm height advantage and 18cm reach advantage, Dimitrenko will force Parker to adapt and use different skills to get inside.

Parker's KO percentage sits at 85 from his 20 undefeated fights.

"Dimitrenko is a guy who former world champion Shannon Briggs went out of his way to avoid earlier this year because of the risk," Duco Events promoter Dean Lonergan said.

"Even casual boxing fans know that all Eastern Europeans in the heavyweight division know how to fight."

Dimitrenko's career has closely mirrored that of fellow Ukrainians, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko.

He has spent most of his career fighting out of Germany and has also trained with the late Fritz Sdunek, who turned both Klitschkos into world champions.

Dimitrenko is as big as Vitali and Ron Purrity, who knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in 1998, is among his victories.

It is more than four years ago since Dimitrenko's last loss, which was an 11-round war against highly respected Bulgarian Pulev, who is ranked two places higher than Parker on independent website, boxrec.com.

The fight with Dimitrenko is expected to be Parker's last before challenging Anthony Joshua for the IBF heavyweight title. That anticipated match-up is expected later this year, or early 2016.

- Stuff

Hopefully he comes forward and puts Parker under pressure. We all know Parker looks great on the front foot, not so much on the back foot.

Dimitrenko it is then.... Now let's get ready for the undercard.
Uzi v.s number 4 ranked heavy in Peru/Ecuador (with a good paper record of coarse).
Buttabollox v.s some farmer with no boxing experience
Someone from shortland St v.s some unknown radio DJ (preferably female, and at least one of them must be hot).
Throw in one fight that boxing fans might give a toss about and there you go, $39.95 of your hard earned money please.

He definitely has power, as he's KO'd Krasnaqi and Sosnowski. His loss to Chambers was considered a minor upset at the time:

http://boxrec.com/boxer/79357

Really surprised he is coming to NZ and not fighting in Germany. There must be some decent money in this one!!

I rate him as good as Takam, unless he's "lost it" in the last few years by fighting inferior opposition. Parker will have his hands full.